Paso del Norte Health Foundation Invests in the Wellness of 5,745 Youth Across the Region

As part of its commitment to investing in the health of youth in the region, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation has approved more than $2 million in grants to organizations that will provide healthy activities for more than 5,000 children and teens.

The grants are part of the Foundation’s Healthy Kids initiative, which focuses on improving health outcomes for youth ages 5 to 17 who are not in school or working. Research shows that participation in structured, out-of-school programs reduces the likelihood of substance use and crime involvement, and that strong programs serve as protective factors that help young people lead healthy, productive lives.

In this newest grant cycle, the Foundation is partnering with 18 organizations across El Paso, Las Cruces, Deming, and Ciudad Juárez to reach youth who can benefit from these programs.

A total of $2,226,864.18 has been awarded to the following organizations:

• Amigos en Cristo A.C. – $85,005.55 – To provide out-of-school and summer programming for 120 disconnected youth ages 5–17 in Ciudad Juárez, MX.

• Árbol de Vida – $108,328.78 – To provide 100 disconnected youth with creative arts, farming, and physical activity through out-of-school programs in the colonias of Lomas de Poleo and Rancho Anapra in Ciudad Juárez, MX.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso, Inc. – $198,903 – To provide out-of-school and summer programming for 100 disconnected children in grades 3–5 in Canutillo, TX.

• Border Partners – $132,044 – To provide out-of-school and summer programming for at least 100 disconnected youth ages 10–17 in Puerto Palomas, MX.

• Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces – $96,014.40 – To provide out-of-school and summer programming for at least 200 new disconnected youth ages 11–17 and retain at least 50 current participants in Las Cruces, NM.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of El Paso – $132,000 – To provide out-of-school and summer activities for 150 disconnected youth ages 11–17 in El Paso, TX.

• Centro de Asesoría y Promoción Juvenil A.C. – $187,000.00 – To implement out-of-school and summer programs for 1,400 disconnected youth ages 8–17 across six centers in Ciudad Juárez, MX.

• Centro de Investigaciones y Desarrollo de Proyectos Sociales, Educativos y de Salud A.C. (CIDES ES A.C.) – $75,188.44 – To provide after-school and summer programming for 205 disconnected youth ages 5–17 in Ciudad Juárez, MX.

• Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico – $135,398.27 – To provide out-of-school and summer entrepreneurship programming for at least 600 disconnected youth ages 5–17 in Doña Ana, Luna, and Otero counties, NM.

• Creative Kids – $193,167.50 – To recruit and retain 275 disconnected youth ages 5–17 in San Elizario, TX, and Gadsden ISD through a year-round arts program using the Artists-in-Residence model.

• Philosophic Systems Institute – $194,700 – To pilot a skill-building and leadership program for 80 disconnected youth ages 5–17 in El Paso, TX.

• Espacio Interactivo La Rodadora – $60,545.82 – To develop personal, social, and professional skills among 100 disconnected youth ages 15–17 in Ciudad Juárez, MX.

• Friends of Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks – $88,000 – To provide out-of-school outdoor activities for 150 disconnected youth in Doña Ana County, NM.

• Fundación Gazpro, A.C. – $66,026.21 – To provide after-school and summer programming for 100 disconnected youth ages 5–17 in Ciudad Juárez, MX.

• Nature Friends – $19,300 – To deliver outdoor after-school programming for at least 75 disconnected youth ages 5–13 in Las Cruces, NM.

• Organización Popular Independiente A.C. – $158,966.34 – To provide out-of-school and summer programming for 1,000 disconnected youth ages 5–17 in Ciudad Juárez, MX.

• Salud y Desarrollo Comunitario de Cd. Juárez (FEMAP/SADEC) – $90,805.33 – To provide out-of-school and summer programming for 450 disconnected youth ages 5–17 in Ciudad Juárez, MX.

• Salud y Desarrollo Comunitario de Cd. Juárez (FEMAP/SADEC) – $90,300.54 – To provide out-of-school and summer programming for 540 disconnected youth ages 6–17 in Ciudad Juárez, MX.

• YMCA of El Paso – $115,170 – To develop a comprehensive strategic plan, strengthen board governance, and provide summer camps for disconnected youth in El Paso, TX.

“This investment will touch the lives of approximately 5,745 children and teens across our region,” said Jana Renner, senior program officer with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. “Behind each number is a young person who can gain safety, support, and opportunity through the trusted organizations doing this work every day. Partnerships like these help the Paso del Norte Health Foundation advance its mission of creating a healthier, thriving region.”